Today is SB Day 5. Last night I was commenting to my husband how I was feeling a little weird, weak and lethargic. He said he was, too. I feel like I'm eating and drinking plenty. We wondered if there were side effects to cutting out sugar. I looked in the book and didn't see anything on that. Anyone have any thoughts on what we can expect as we go through this detox of sorts? It's certainly not bothersome enough to stop, we are just curious. Thanks!

You are experiencing what everyone calls the South Beach Diet flu. It is your body withdrawing from sugar. It won't last long. Beans and dairy help, so make sure you are getting some each day.

Some people experience something referred to as South Beach Flu. I found an old thread here. You can also google that and find tons of stuff. Lots of us swear by beans as a way to minimize or avoid it.

I'm right there with you!! I'm super tired and lethargic and oddly, having trouble sleeping. From what I've read here on the board it will pass....hang in there!!!

I have heard that its normal and will pass, but I personally never felt it.

I haven't been feeling that tired, but I was have stomach pain. Tonight I am going to try to have a little bit of protein before been, like a glass of milk to see if that helps.

The first time I went through phase 1 I was super grouchy for a few days. But it passed pretty quick, thank goodness This time I haven't had the same problem.

I haven't read much on it (yet) but I'm sure it will pass. This is my first time on the SBD and the last few days I haven't been doing it "clean" seeing as how I've still had a fruit smoothie for breakfast...so I'm kinda considering this P1.5 (although I have lost 1lb. so far, lol, and I'm only 2-3 days in?). Now that I was able to pick up some eggs at the store today and the fact that the smoothie didn't taste so great (or it just filled me up w/ only half the serving this morning) I don't think I'm going to have one again until I'm through phase 1.

Not to be a naysayer, but I'm one of the few people who got the South Beach Diet "flu" and it wouldn't go away...at least it didn't go away for 3 weeks, and then I decided to stop South Beach because I couldn't stand it anymore. Granted, most people I've talked to who get the lethargy tend to have it stop in about 3-5 days. For me, I started feeling lethargic, having memory issues, and having very slow reaction times after about 4 days on phase I. After the two weeks of phase I, switching to phase II and incorporating more beans, veggie based carbs, and an occasional whole grain or fruit didn't make the feeling go away. In addition, I developed the worst taste in my mouth/breath I've ever had in my life. I was drinking 4-5 cups of mint tea every day and eating sugar-free mints the rest of the time. Eventually, I decided that switching to plain calorie counting while just making sure my calories were from nutrient rich food choices was a better choice for me.

However, my experience aside, I've known many people who have had great success with South Beach, and my roommate never got the South Beach flu.

I saw your post when it went up yesterday, but I didn't originally reply because I didn't want you to think I was trying to discourage you... however, sometimes it's also helpful just to know you're not the only one going through something - so just my two cents~

Does the flu include having a sore throat?

It may be die-off when toxins are being eliminated from your system. Google "die off"; it is an interesting read.

Yogurt!

When I've gone on P1 after too much time off the beach, I've felt exhausted and even a little light headed for a few days at a time. Yogurt and dairy, especially in the afternoon, has helped me immensely.

Spixiet, I am sorry for your experience, but I wonder what you mean when you said your transition to Phase 2 meant incorporating more beans and veggie based carbs, with an occasional grain. As far as I know beans are already unlimited on Phase 1, and what are veggie based carbs? Starchy veggies like potatoes? Transitioning to Phase 2 means incorporating at least one serving of grain and fruit per day and upping that until your weight loss stops and you know your limit to lose weight. I'm imagining that a normal, weight loss inducing Phase 2 would mean at least one whole grain and one fruit serving a day. It sounds like perhaps you extended Phase 1 longer than is recommended.